BBC Alba secures new Scottish football deal

Scottish football fans from across the country will be able to enjoy live and delayed Scottish football action on BBC Alba for at least the next three seasons following a new TV deal with the SPFL.

The Gaelic language channel will show both live and deferred broadcast Scottish league and cup football during seasons up to and including the 2019/20 season.

For each of the next three seasons, BBC Alba will have the rights to show:

Ladbrokes Premiership – 38 matches for deferred broadcast (as live)

Ladbrokes Championship – 4 live matches (no more than 1 home game per club)

Ladbrokes Leagues 1 & 2 – 2 live matches (no more than 1 home game per club)

Ladbrokes Championship Play-off Final – Both legs live

IRN-BRU Cup – 5 live matches

BBC Alba’s continued coverage compliments BBC Scotland’s existing coverage of Scottish football, which includes weekly highlights of the Ladbrokes Premiership on Sportscene, as well as live coverage of the Scottish Cup.

Minister for Public Health and Sport Aileen Campbell MSP joined MG ALBA’s Director of Strategy and Partnership Iseabail Mactaggart, SPFL Chief Executive Neil Doncaster and Ross County chairman Roy MacGregor to unveil the new deal at Hampden Park (pictured above).

SPFL Chief Executive Neil Doncaster said:

“This is a great deal for Scottish football and good news for Scotland overall. The SPFL has enjoyed a terrific partnership with BBC ALBA to date and we are excited to extend the relationship by a further three seasons, ensuring Scottish football shown live on TV can continue to be enjoyed by as many supporters as possible.

“BBC ALBA has always been a very committed supporter of our game and the latest agreement takes into account club and supporter feedback, particularly in the Ladbrokes Championship. We are all looking forward to another three successful seasons with BBC ALBA.”

“Scottish football coverage has been extremely popular with viewers since the channel launched in 2008 and we are delighted to extend the partnership between BBC ALBA and the SPFL into its tenth year and beyond.

“The new package continues a great mix of action from across the divisions and the IRN-BRU Cup and we are pleased we can offer the spotlight to clubs who contribute so much to the domestic game outside the top flight. We are committed to coverage of Scottish sport, especially at the grassroots, and we are delighted to be working with the clubs and the SPFL in the seasons ahead.”

Scottish Minister for Sport Aileen Campbell MSP added:

“Football is Scotland’s national game and we want to do everything we can to open it up to as many people as possible. This deal with BBC ALBA continues the great support the BBC has shown to the SPFL as well as the continued desire to promote the Gaelic language.

“As a football fan, I know that being able to watch my team on the television is a huge bonus if I can’t attend the game itself and I look forward to another three seasons of Scottish football coverage on BBC ALBA.”

In addition to BBC Alba and BBC Scotland’s coverage, Sky Sports and BT Sport will continue to broadcast 25 live matches each from the Ladbrokes Premiership, plus selected Ladbrokes Championship matches during the 2017/18 season, with Sky holding exclusive rights to show all four Old Firm derbies.